Toothbrush adapter for aerosol container

ABSTRACT

A toothbrush has a hollow head into which head the user can inject toothpaste from an aerosol can. The aerosol can includes a valve in its upper portion which is spring loaded closed and adapted to be opened in response to pressure on a cylindrical plug extending upwardly through the top of the can. An adapter mounted on the aerosol can is adapted to receive the toothbrush so that it can be guided into a position which permits the user to push on the handle of the toothbrush to actuate the valve, and an injector tube also provided in the top of the aerosol can is received in an end opening associated with the hollow head of the toothbrush so that the user can grasp the aerosol can in one hand on the toothbrush in the other and thereby load his toothbrush in an efficient manner.

United States Patent 1191 Rallis TOOTHBRUSH ADAPTER FOR AEROSOL CONTAINER [76] Inventor: Theodore Rallis, Beacon Falls, Conn. 06403 221 Filed: July 9,1973

21 Appl. No.: 377,828

[52] US. Cl ..'40l/ll9, 401/190, 141/355 [51] Int. Cl A46b 11/02 [58] Field of Search 401/119, 190; 141/367,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,022,789 3,093,857 6/1963 1161511.... 4011190 j 3,376,095 4/1968 MOdla 401/190 2/1962 Rallisetal. "491/119 1111 3,825,354 5]. July 23, 1974 Primary ExaminerLawrence Charles Attorney, Agent, or FirmMcCormick, Paulding & Huber [57] ABSTRACT A toothbrush has a hollow head into which head the user can inject toothpaste from an aerosol can. The aerosol can includes a valve in its upper portion which is spring loaded closed and adapted to be opened in response to pressure on a cylindrical plug extending l upwardly through the top of the can. An adapter mounted on the aerosolcan isadapted to receive the toothbrush so that it can be guided into a position which permits the user to push on the handle of the toothbrush to actuate the valve, and an injector tube also provided in the top of the aerosol can is received in an end opening associated with the hollow head of the toothbrush so that the user can grasp the aerosol can in one hand on the toothbrush in the other and thereby load his toothbrush in an efficient manner.

PAIEME JUL 2 31914 VALVE 13 1 TOOTHBRUSH ADAPTER FOR AEROSOL CONTAINER BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION container, and simultaneously hold the toothbrush in position with respect to an injector in order to load the toothbrush.

The presentinvention permits the user, to open the aerosol valve as he inserts his toothbrush in a unique adapter carried by the otherwise conventional aerosol container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF- THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an overall view of the aerosolcan together with the adapter and a portion of the toothbrush which is adapted .to be received in the adapter.

FIG. -2 is an alternative construction wherein the toothbrush is adapted to be received at 90 to the orientation of the central axis of the aerosol can. v

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the upper portion of the aerosol can, portions thereof being broken away to better reveal the construction-of the adapter, said adapter being shown at least partly in section. The head portion of the toothbrush of FIG. 1 is also shown in this view.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the head portion of the adapter, and

FIG. 7 is a sectional 'view taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 5.-

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Turning now to the drawings in greater detail, a conventional aerosol can is indicated generally at 10 in FIG. 1, said can having a top or upper portion 12 which includes a central opening 14 defined by an annular central insert member 16, which member 16 is spun into mating relationship with'the top 12 of the aerosol can in a conventional manner and so as to define an annular rib 18. A conventional valve 13 is provided inside the aerosol can 10 being spring loaded closed variety and adapted to being opened in response to downward pressure on a generally cylindrically shaped actuating member, or plug 20. As shown in FIG. 3 when this plug 20 is depressed the valve 13 is opened allowing the contents of the aerosol container to pass upwardly through the bore 22 defined for this purpose in the member 20. An injector tube 24 is preferably mounted in the bore 22 of the actuating member or plug 20. Thus, both the tube 24 and the plug 20 are depressed for opening the 2 An adapter 30, preferably fabricated from a thermoplastic material by aninexpensive process such as by plastic injection molding is provided in mating relationship with the upper end of the aerosol can 10. More particularly, the adapter 30 is snugly received on the annular rib 18 by means of an annular flange 32 provided for this purpose on the base portion of the adapter '30. The adapter 30 further includes a central opening 34 for slidably receiving the actuating member 20, associated with the valve 13, in the aerosol can. As best shown in FIG. 4, the adapter 30 also includes an upwardly extending cavity for'receiving the head portion of a toothbrush.

The toothbrush itself is of conventional constructio being similar to that shown in the above mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,022,789 issued to Theodore Rallis et al. Feb. 27, 1972. More particularly, the toothbrush shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 preferably corresponds to that disclosed in this prior art patent, and also includes a conventional handle portion. The head portion defines an internal chamber having a slot 42 on one side,

that is in the side which carries the bristles, in order to permit the toothpaste to flow into the middle of the grouping of tufts or bristles-The end of the toothbrush communicates with the internal chamber 40 for this purpose-As soconstructed and arranged toothpaste may be injected into the chamber and hence pass outwardly through the slot'onto thebristlesvery expeditiously.

The principle advantage of the present invention relates to the novel means for injecting, toothpaste into this chamber 40. The chamber40 as best shown in FIG. 5 communicates with the slot 42 and with the end opening 44 to define a'passageway for the toothpaste. The bristles may be integrally molded with'the-toothbrush handle portion, or may-be more conventionally mounted in the head portion when the plastic toothbrush is formed. FIG. 5 also shows one end of the plug member 20 which comprises a part of the aerosol valve in the container 10, as well as the tubular injector 24 associated with this plug 20.

Returning once again to a more complete descriptio of the adapter 30, its upper end is opened or slotted as best shown at 38 in'FIG. 4' to receive the head portion of the toothbrush described above. This adapter 30 is provided with a-cut away portion or opening 36 which permits the adapter to be conveniently raised out periodically by the user. Although it willbe apparent that this adapter might be solid in this area it is preferably cut away as shown to provide a convenient way of cleaning the adapter periodically to remove any residue in FIG. 5 when the toothbrush ispushed downwardly in the slot or recess 38, as best shown in FIG. 3.

I claim:

1. The combination comprising an aerosol type container having an upper end which defines. a annular rib, a valve assembly in the container and operable in response to downward pressure on a generally cylindrical valve actuating member disposed centrally of said annular rib, a small diameter tube extending upwardly through said valve actuating member, and an adapter having a base fixed to said annular rib, said adapter having a central opening for slidably receiving said cylindrical valve actuating member, a toothbrush having a head portion with bristles or the like, and said toothbrush having a handle portion of conventional configuration, said toothbrush head portion having an internal chamber and having an end opening for receiving said tube, said adapter further including an upstanding portion with a recess for receiving the head portion of said toothbrush generally axially with respect to the adapter so that axial pressure on said cylindrical actuating member can be exerted by' the user as a result of pushing on the handle portion of the toothbrush.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 above further characterized by said adapter having a base portion which extends outwardly of said annular rib on said aerosol can and which snugly receives the same.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2 above further characterized by said adapter recess being substantially open to at least one side along its entire axial extent except for the base portion for receiving the bristles defined in the head portion of said toothbrush.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3 above further characterized by said base portion recess also being partially open on the side opposite said open side along at least a portion of its axial extent exclusive of said 

1. The combination comprising an aerosol type container having an upper end which defines a annular rib, a valve assembly in the container and operable in response to downward pressure on a generally cylindrical valve actuating member disposed centrally of said annular rib, a small diameter tube extending upwardly through said valve actuating member, and an adapter having a base fixed to said annular rib, said adaptEr having a central opening for slidably receiving said cylindrical valve actuating member, a toothbrush having a head portion with bristles or the like, and said toothbrush having a handle portion of conventional configuration, said toothbrush head portion having an internal chamber and having an end opening for receiving said tube, said adapter further including an upstanding portion with a recess for receiving the head portion of said toothbrush generally axially with respect to the adapter so that axial pressure on said cylindrical actuating member can be exerted by the user as a result of pushing on the handle portion of the toothbrush.
 2. The combination set forth in claim 1 above further characterized by said adapter having a base portion which extends outwardly of said annular rib on said aerosol can and which snugly receives the same.
 3. The combination set forth in claim 2 above further characterized by said adapter recess being substantially open to at least one side along its entire axial extent except for the base portion for receiving the bristles defined in the head portion of said toothbrush.
 4. The combination set forth in claim 3 above further characterized by said base portion recess also being partially open on the side opposite said open side along at least a portion of its axial extent exclusive of said base portion.
 5. The combination set forth in claim 4 above further characterized by said substantially open side of said adapter recess being more particularly defined by longitudinally extending lips which restrain the toothbrush head portion from movement except in an axial direction in said adapter. 